Derick Almena and Max Harris have been arrested on involuntary manslaughter charges connected to the deadly Ghost Ship fire in Oakland. (Photos by Lake County police/Bay Area News Group)

KGO

Monday, June 05, 2017

OAKLAND, Calif. --

Oakland Ghost Ship warehouse founder Derick Almena and his associate Max Harris have been arrested on involuntary manslaughter charges connected to the deadly fire in Oakland, the Alameda County DA said on Monday.

DA Nancy O'Malley says they could get up to 39 years in prison for these charges.

A recent lawsuit that was filed on behalf of the families of half of the 36 victims alleged that the warehouse was "a death trap that contained a maze of makeshift rooms, alcoves and partitions" and lacked a safe means of getting out.

Several weeks after the fire, Almena's attorney said he didn't engage in any criminal misconduct and alleged that governmental agencies were responsible for the blaze for not cracking down on code violations at the warehouse.